Union River Impact Study
Understanding the River's Future
Embedded Files
Project Updates
The Union River Impact Study will be released in October.
This study was a collaborative effort of Downeast Salmon Federation, Frenchman Bay Conservancy, Heart of Ellsworth, and Union Salmon Association, with analysis conducted by HUB Collective and One Water Econ. Together, these partners researched 3 scenarios suggested by our community to provide data for thoughtful dialogue about the future of the Union River.
What is the history of the dams?
The 118-year-old Ellsworth Dam, which impounds the Union River to create Leonard Lake, was acquired by Brookfield Renewable Energy Partners in 2013. It produces power by operating in conjunction with the Graham Lake Dam upstream. Both dams have been in a relicensing process with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) since 2015. In 2019, FERC's Final Environmental Assessment recommended continued operation of the dam with better fish passage and recreational facilities, pending a state water quality certification, which was denied and is in re-application. These recommendations are one focus of the Union River Impact Study.
Brookfield has threatened to surrender the project and remove the dam if its legal challenges are unsuccessful, leaving our communities in need of more information on the future of the Union River.
Why will the river change?
Both the Federal and State Governments have recognized the need for improved operations in the Ellsworth Hydropower Project. For instance, the Ellsworth Dam significantly impedes the natural functions of the Union River. Either dam removal or operating changes of the dams could increase value in real estate, commercial fisheries, and river recreation. Thus, the Union River Impact Study aims to explore how alternative futures for the Union River could drive economic growth and achieve better outcomes for people in Ellsworth and throughout the Union River Watershed.
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
For those interested in learning more we have put together a list of online resources.
What scenarios did this study examine?
We do not know the likelihood of scenarios or when they might happen. Each scenario is possible, and therefore we want to better understand what outcomes we could anticipate.
Baseline: A retrospective analysis of the river and dams to-date. What is the current impact of the dams as they have operated in the past and currently operate? Changes will be required, so this is purely a retrospective scenario that could be used as a baseline to compare to the other scenarios.
Scenario 1: Brookfield or another owner makes necessary changes to successfully relicense. Both dams remain operational. In this scenario, the owner makes the necessary upgrades required by regulatory bodies (things like fishways and fish elevators, improvements to oxygen and sediment levels in Leonard Lake, limiting water level draw-downs in Graham Lake to three feet). The Ellsworth dam would continue to generate power for the owner.
Scenario 2: Brookfield relinquishes control of the dams, and the Ellsworth Dam is removed. Leonard Lake is a river as it used to be. The Graham Lake dam is retained, with improvements that facilitate fish passage, improve water quality, and stabilize water levels in Graham Lake. New recreation opportunities are also examined.
PROJECT PARTNERS
PROJECT PARTNERS
Heart of Ellsworth
Heart of Ellsworth
The Heart of Ellsworth is dedicated to supporting downtown Ellsworth's economic and cultural vitality through concentrated efforts in the areas of design, organization, promotion, and economic revitalization while protecting the city's unique and historic character.
Downeast Salmon Federation
Downeast Salmon Federation
Downeast Salmon Federation's mission is to conserve and restore wild sea-run fish and their habitats in Downeast Maine.
Based on a vision of an abundant return of all sea-run fish species for the ecological, cultural, and economic benefit of the region and beyond, the organization has guided advocacy, education, and outreach on sustainable fisheries, communities, and the economy at the state and federal levels.
Frenchman Bay Conservancy
Frenchman Bay Conservancy
Frenchman Bay Conservancy conserves distinctive ecosystems, lands, and waters for the benefit of all, from the Union River and Frenchman Bay watersheds east to the Hancock County line.
Frenchman Bay Conservancy is a nationally accredited nonprofit land conservation organization. They have protected over 19,000 acres through conservation easements or FBC-owned preserves in 12 towns and townships in Maine.
Union Salmon Association
Union Salmon Association
The Union Salmon Association (USA) was formed by fishermen and other concerned people when the license of the dam blocking fish passage on the Union River came up for renewal in 1992. We worked hard to require fish passage over the dam. We were successful–the new license required fish passage, but the operator subsequently got approval to not build the fishway. In the years since, sea run fish in the Union River have largely disappeared.
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